Amazing to me how intelligent female cyclists are ;-)

I think the tolerance to accept more than one notion of the family is important as we will never get back to 1 ideal, whether conservative or liberal. The world is just to diverse to go back. All we can do is continue to improve the situation on the basis of doing what is right. To think that we adhere to old literal notions is ridiculous to me, I believe we should always in the context of the world re-interpret what the words and ideas mean in today's world. The bible, old testament, whatever works for you, taken at literal word would be absurd to most people. Interpreting what the meaning really is and what it means to daily life is the only way it can live on and be relevant. Change is necessary.

I too know that I probably would not have wanted to stay home with kids but luckily I did choose a husband who would be perfectly suited to do so. Wasn't part of the master plan, it just worked out that way. And I think this maybe has to do with attracting the right men -- the least bit of warning sign that we don't share the right values, they're outta here. You hardly can change someone's beliefs and values, so what you see is what you'll get. So in the right state of mind, I think we do look and should seek out partners who complement rather than duplicate. Sometimes if they duplicate you, you end up with an overage on one side and underage on the other. It's not easy but possible. I was married 1x before, went back into the dating game and married again in my late 30's. So with the benefit of these experiences, I can say you are so much smarter later on...if you get married young, then the best thing is if you change together. Everyone changes, you're not the same person at 40 as you were at 20. Intelligence is a measure of how well we are able to adapt, and I think change is good. Synching it with your significant other is an added challenge, but possible.

*Sigh*, whether we realize it or not, life is always a challenge every day...getting on that bike and going up that hill can be a challenge some days ...